Netanyahu Slams Iran at UN; Iran Lashes Back

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran is continuing a "vast and feverish" effort to acquire nuclear arms, and that his country is ready to stand alone to defend itself against Iran's nuclear ambitions.

UNITED NATIONS— Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country will never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. Speaking on the last day of the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday, he cautioned the international community about Iran’s new president, saying his charm offensive is only a strategy to get crippling sanctions lifted. Iran's envoy lashed back, calling Netanyahu’s speech "inflammatory."

Delivering his UNGA address, Prime Minister Netanyahu immediately launched into his argument that Iran is not on the path of change, saying new President Hassan Rouhani is a “loyal servant” of the Islamic hardline regime and no different from his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

“Rouhani doesn’t sound like Ahmadinejad. But when it comes to Iran’s nuclear weapons program, the only difference between them is this: Ahmadinejad was a wolf in wolf’s clothing; Rouhani is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A wolf who thinks he can pull the wool over the eyes of the international community,” said Netanyahu.

He listed a catalog of Iran’s actions - from directly supporting President Bashar al-Assad in Syria to jailing and executing political dissidents - saying it's clear Iran has not changed.

On the nuclear file, he challenged the Iranian president’s remarks that his country is seeking nuclear energy only for peaceful purposes. Netanyahu pointed to the 2002 discovery that Iran was secretly building an underground centrifuge facility at Natanz and, in 2009, the uncovering of its enrichment facility in the mountains of Qom.

“Why would they do all this? The answer is simple: Iran is not building a peaceful nuclear program, Iran is developing nuclear weapons,” said Netanyahu.

He urged the international community to continue its pressure on Iran, saying sanctions are working and should remain in place.

‘Israel will stand alone’

Netanyahu was emphatic that Israel would never agree to nuclear weapons in Iran’s hands.

“Against such a threat Israel will have no choice but to defend itself. I want there to be no confusion on this point: Israel will not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons. If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone. Yet in standing alone, Israel will know that we will be defending many, many others,” said Netanyahu.

The Israeli prime minister focused his more than 30 minute speech on Iran, only mentioning peace talks with the Palestinians briefly at the end, saying he is ready to seek an historic compromise with them, but stressing it must satisfy Israel’s security concerns and include mutual recognition.

Netanyahu was the last to speak at the annual debate. His remarks were followed by the “right of reply” by nations wanting to respond to comments made during the debate. Iranian envoy Khodadad Seifi categorically rejected all of Netanyahu’s remarks.

“He [Netanyahu] should seriously avoid miscalculation about Iran. Iran’s centuries-old policy of non-aggression must not be interpreted as its inability to defend itself…. Therefore, the Israeli prime minister had better not even think about attacking Iran, let alone planning for that,” said Seifi.

The Iranian envoy also urged Israel to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty without delay, saying it is the only country in the region that is not a member.

Comments page of 2

Excellent speech. The outline of rhetoric for a peaceful resolution from Iran and the US Presidency are hallow. Obama's permissive actions are clear support of Iran's intentions to become armed with a nuclear weapon capability. Actions, or lack there of, to halt Iran's nuclear programs are messages of complicit approval and acceptance. Iran is a vocal and prolific danger to all non-muslim peoples of this world. Their leadership's intention to eliminate what they term "infidels" goes beyond Israel. Open your eyes people of the world, to the violence executed in numerous countries on people who are in cafes, chuches, shopping malls, resorts, embassies, and private homes by Iran's minions who claim a holy jihad. Iran is more than a part of the "Axis of Evil", it is the home base of this Axis. There are many within the US populace supporting Isreal's position to protect their very existance. We stand by you. We pray for the blessing of the people and the land of Israel. The God of our fore fathers Abraham, Issac and Jacob, deeded the land to the people of Israel by holy covenant. He renewed that covenant several times throughout history. May the leadership of Israel and their people remain fiathful to the one true God, Yahweh. He is the Author and Protector of Israel. To Him we give blessing and honor.

by: Greg from: Texas

October 02, 2013 4:13 PM

Thank god for Israel

by: William F. Folger from: US

October 02, 2013 2:04 PM

In today’s Middle East context, I support vulnerably-surrounded Israel’s right to form a separate nation with defensible shape and borders plus realistic security against unrestricted neighboring military buildups. Such a people, imperfect like others though unusually referenced for eradication, have been overly scapegoated down the centuries. Hence they need and deserve, once and for all, a secure homeland in the area of their historical roots. Given the holocaust, they cannot be expected to just trust they will be safe if they become careless about shape, borders and nearby military surroundings..Today, we Christians are facing growing expulsions-by-threat from that same area via radicalized-Islamists, while current Muslim leaders have not regularly -- over the world -- publicly preached and internet-posted that Allah REJECTS suicide-bombing as being an extremely selfish act. It denies their victims the chance to make their own peace with God, hence earning Allah’s wrath instead of paradise for being so selfish. Islamic leaders should protect Allah’s people from deceptive teachings. .The following quote outlines a proper way to treat one another despite our different beliefs:.“What is needed between East and West is mutual forgiveness for the past -- validated by granting freedom of worship in one another's countries. That will please God and bring hope to the planet. Regarding which group has the Truth, let that come about in God's way, as the fruit of making the peace.”

by: Amir from: US

October 02, 2013 12:43 PM

It was a strong speech from Netanyahu but It would have made more sense if Israel was also responsible towards its own nuclear program.

by: Zack from: NY

October 02, 2013 12:00 PM

Enough crap from so called PM of Israel. President Obama is THE BEST

by: Naazneen from: Shiraaz

October 02, 2013 10:57 AM

Iran has been under one sanctions after the other since last 30 years. Long 30 years. But that was somehow good. We learnt to make a lot of stuff on our own. By ourselves. And we survive, survive well. If Israel was to have sanctions for even 30 hours, my God, it would have the world hell for US and all. They would demand 100 billion for each hour they would have sanctions.

Nutyahu and most of Israel and Jews in US want to bomb Iran, even if we shutdown our nuclear programme. That's all it is. Israel wants nobody else to be able to even come close to competition. Israel wants to reign supreme in Mid East. Nothing else. Keep dreaming Israel. That will be in fact your nightmare.

In Response

by: Vinay Prasad from: India

October 02, 2013 2:55 PM

Sooooperb post m'am. Pls keep it up. We from India stand by Iran and wish them the best in keeping up the resistance on these antidiluvian colonial minded idiots. Not Israel, but the western countries. Just torpedo this idea of colonialism. Drive out the firangees from the ME.

by: Godwin from: Nigeria

October 02, 2013 10:11 AM

That was a brave talk by Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu. It needed no introduction. Iran must not be allowed to produce nuclear weapon, period. Right now, the US under malam Obama wants to fool the world into believing Iran is like any other country wanting nuclear program for power generation and medicine. Bullshit! Only an Obama in the world can believe that deceit. The US really cannot stand aloof watching Iran do it, but Obama's presence provides the leeway for it. And if Iran fails to achieve it before the end of Obama's regime, then it will never achieve it again. For then Israel will no longer be alone in the fight.

As for sanctions, the Americans have so much time to play the hide and seek while Obama calls the shots, but so far it has achieved minimal restraints to the nuclear fast tracking in Iran. It has punished the people more than the government, but this is blamable on the regime in Tehran. For if they love the ordinary peoples of Iran, they will do everything possible to avert sanctions which is crippling everything in the country, including the people. To prove that Tehran wants nuclear bomb at costs for its hidden agenda, it will go to any length to starve the citizens to achieve it. And once achieved, the whole world of condemnation will not stop it from “wiping” out Israel. That is how peaceful Iranian pursuit of nuclear program is.

by: MUSTAFA from: INDIA

October 02, 2013 6:32 AM

I cannot understand why there is so much noise in peace loving countries(called themselves) about nuclear activities in Iran and there is complete mum in so called civilized societies about inventory of nuclear arms in Israel. They want complete list of weapons from Syria but no body is raising any concern about PAID terrorist in Syria very well paid by Israel, Saudia, Qatar, Turkey and so many countries are involve in human tragedy. Why there is TWO system in this world, some body have uncounted list of weapons on one hand and other do not have right to have plant for peace full purpose. History of LAST SIXTY years will tell us true story who is terrorist and who is giving training and DOLLARS for spreading terrorism in peace loving country. Pakistan is one example, every day there is bomb blast without any gape in 365 days, who is giving weapons, money and training ask our MEDIA, they will tell you the true story.

by: Paul Heller from: Florida, USA

October 01, 2013 8:17 PM

You anti-Semitic people make me want to throw up.

In Response

by: Moe

October 02, 2013 8:11 AM

When the truth becomes hard to swallow Paul, play the anti-Semitic card.

In Response

by: Isa mukhtar from: Yola

October 02, 2013 3:59 AM

Netanyahu , you will really get to know what a wolf can do if you try your adventure on Iran

by: ted bartholemu from: USA

October 01, 2013 7:40 PM

Rudy, it is quite flattering that you have 14 million Jews controlling the 1.5 billion Christians in the world, when world leaders do a pilgrimage to the Vatican to kiss the Pope's ring, within their own Country,sitting on untold trillions upon trillions of dollars, not to mention the wealth of those like Bill Gates, Carlos Slim, Warren Buffett who together can buy their own nation.That is the reality of true wealth and power. If you would only spend some of time that you post here becoming educated, you too can achieve, you would not hold so much animosity towards those that do. Then your education would prohibit you from regurgitating rhetoric that is fueled by pure inbred hatreds

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